The Zombie Movie: A Timeless Horror Icon That Keeps Coming Back for More

Relentless, emotionless, and driven by an insatiable hunger — zombies are nearly impossible to destroy for good. Since their first appearance on the big screen in the 1930s, there have been moments when it seemed like zombie films had breathed their last. But time and again, these terrifying creatures rise, dominating cinemas in waves. In recent years, we’ve been in the midst of a zombie boom — and that’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide to the 100 best zombie movies, ranked by Tomatometer, with Certified Fresh titles leading the charge!

While the genre has existed for over eight decades — starting with White Zombie (1932) and I Walked With a Zombie (1943) — most fans agree that modern zombie cinema truly began in 1968. That’s when George A. Romero revolutionized horror with Night of the Living Dead. This low-budget indie became a phenomenon thanks to its eerie story, shocking gore, groundbreaking casting choices, and bold social commentary — not to mention its unforgettable swarms of the flesh-hungry undead. Romero, often hailed as the godfather of the zombie genre, went on to create five more iconic Dead films, including Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead, both featured in our list.

Although Romero laid the foundation, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that zombies clawed their way out of the horror niche to conquer mainstream pop culture. Standout films from earlier decades include the gory comedy Return of the Living Dead, Peter Jackson’s outrageous Dead Alive, Lucio Fulci’s cult classic Zombi 2, and the bizarre brilliance of Re-Animator.

The early 2000s marked a turning point, as the Resident Evil video game franchise sparked fresh interest and unleashed a tidal wave of zombie movies between 2000 and 2005. This era showcased the genre’s diversity — from the hilarious parody Shaun of the Dead to the high-octane action of Resident Evil, the gritty realism of 28 Days Later, Japan’s action-packed Versus, and the innovative indie hit One Cut of the Dead. We even got Train to Busan, widely considered one of the best zombie movies of all time.

Today, zombies remain as popular as ever — and some can even sprint! From the global phenomenon The Walking Dead to creative takes in film, zombies have found a home in found-footage horror ([REC]), romantic comedies (Warm Bodies), and grindhouse-style gore (Planet Terror).

In this comprehensive guide, we celebrate the full range of zombie cinema — from the critically acclaimed Certified Fresh favorites to a few delightfully Rotten gems that still add flavor (and a bit of stench) to the mix. So get ready to feast your eyes on our picks for the best zombie movies to watch — and remember: use your brains before they do!